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A much anticipated race to end each racing year is the Arima Kinen run at Nakayama on Sunday.

Lys Gracieux produced a masterpiece in 2019. Surely we won't see a win like that again in the 2020 Arima Kinen (2500m) at Nakayama on Sunday?

2020 ARIMA KINEN - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Arima Kinen is a Grade 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for open class stayers at Nakayama racecourse conducted by the Japan Racing Association.

The Arima Kinen is run over 2500m. It was first run in 1956 and was won by Meiji Hikari.

Originally only open to Japanese horses, in 2000 a Japan Cup winner was allowed and then in 2007, when it attained international Group 1 status, more overseas horses are allowed to run.

The Arima Kinen was worth JPY648,000,000 in 2020.

Nakayama is a right handed course with the 2500m start entering the home running.

The way the field is determined is the vast majority are voted on by fans and then the remainder are from prizemoney earned from the next nominated horses.

Regarding the vote leaders, six times recently that horse has gone on to win the race with Kitasan Black in 2017 the most recent and before him Orfevre in 2013.

Six horses have won two Arima Kinens with the most famous of late being Orfevre (2011 & 2013).

You won't see a more impressive winner than the 5L romp by Lys Gracieux at her last run coming off her 2019 Cox Plate victory.

Three year olds have a tremendous record with 9 winners in the last 23 years, but 5 of the last 10.

Yasutoshi Ikee has won 4 runnings as trainer in the last 11 years.

Notable winners of the Arima Kinen include Lys Gracieux (2019), Kitasan Black (2017), Gentildonna (2014), Orfevre (2011/2013), Deep Impact (2006), Heart's Cry (2005), Zenno Rob Roy (2004), Symboli Kris S (2002/2003), T M Opera O (2000), Grass Wonder (1998/1999), Tokai Teio (1993), Oguri Cap (1988/1990), Symboli Rudolf (1984/1985) and Speed Symboli (1969/1970).

The 2019 Arima Kinen was won by Lys Gracieux from Saturnalia and World Premiere.